KUCHING: Sarawak’s vision of becoming Malaysia’s leading sports powerhouse received a boost as its delegation explored FC Barcelona’s model of integrating sports, culture and tourism during an official working visit to Spain.
A statement issued recently said the experience provided valuable lessons for Sarawak’s goal of becoming a leading sports state in Malaysia,
The delegation was led by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah to learn how Catalonia integrates sports, culture and tourism within one ecosystem.
Accompanying him were Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister of MTCP; Datuk Dr Ripin bin Lamat, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development; Datuk Sherrina Hussaini, Permanent Secretary of MTCP Sarawak; Morshidi Fredrick, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development; Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak; Datuk Dr Rashidah Bolhassan, and senior officers from MTCP.
The delegation was welcomed by FC Barcelona’s management team led by Cèsar Martínez, director of New Business, Logística i Desplaçaments, who briefed them on the club’s history, global operations, and the ongoing renovation of the iconic Spotify Camp Nou.
Once completed in 2026, the new complex will combine football, culture, and technology, creating a modern space for sports and tourism.
“FC Barcelona with the largest stadium in Europe shared its experience in linking sports excellence with tourism, education and community development.
“During the session, Abdul Karim introduced Sarawak as Malaysia’s largest state and one of 14 states in the federation.
“Sarawak is rich in natural resources and cultural diversity, with 34 ethnic groups living in harmony,” MTCP said.
Abdul Karim highlighted that Sarawak’s youth energy and creativity are key drivers for its future.
“The youth are our strength and our future. Their energy and talent must be nurtured through sports,” he said.
Abdul Karim also shared Sarawak’s ongoing efforts to expand sports infrastructure and youth engagement programmes, including the Sarawak X-TIVE initiative, which encourages active lifestyles and community participation in sports.
The state has invested heavily in facilities such as the Petra Jaya Sports Complex, which hosts several major venues, and continues to build momentum after successfully hosting the Malaysia Games 2024 and Borneo Games 2025 and will also play a key role in the Southeast Asian Games 2027.
Abdul Karim also highlighted that football remains the most popular sport in Sarawak and across Malaysia, with many Malaysians following both the English Premier League and La Liga.
“Sports unite people. Just as Barcelona represents Catalonia, sports in Sarawak bring our diverse communities together,” he added.
He said the visit offered valuable lessons on how a sports institution can drive culture, community pride, and economic growth.
These insights, he added, will guide Sarawak’s continued efforts to build its own sports culture and strengthen its creative and tourism industries.
The technical visit to FC Barcelona was part of the Sarawak Official Working Visit to Spain, held in conjunction with the state’s participation in the International Council on Archives (ICA) Congress 2025 in Barcelona.
The visit also included engagements with key Catalan institutions in the fields of culture, tourism, and the creative industry.
